Piano-touch instructor.



Na. 643,028. Pmntgu'reb. 6, :900.`

A A. ALLmuTH.

PIANO TOUCH INSTBUOTOR. (Application med u. 21, 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 Shaets-Shet l.

No. 643,028. Patented Feb. 6 ,-`|900.

A. ALLMUTH.

PIANO TOUCH INSTBUCTOB.

(Application filed Mar. 21, 1899.) (No Model.) I 2 Shaets-Sheet 2.-

f, TN: wan): "nas co` Putno-uma, wAsmNoToN. u, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALOIS ALLMUTH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PlANO-TOUCH INSTRUCTOR.

SPEOIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,028, dated February 6, 1900. Application filecl March 21, 1899. Serial No. 709,993. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALoIs ALLMUTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism to be Used with an Instrument entitled Piano-Touch Instructor, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to furnish the student of the piano with certain means and appliances by the use of which he will acquire a perfect touch. To acquire the perfect touch is the first essential to the student of the piano. But why is it that so many pupils never succeed in this important branch of their study? They experience no difficulty in raising and dropping their fingers on the surface of a table without expending nndue energy. Why can they not apply this ability to the piano-keys? The beginner suddenly finds that there is a resistance to be overcome and concludes thatconsiderable force is required to overcome it, which is the first and most serious obstacle to his success. NVhy is it so difficult to acquire the perfect touch on the piano, and why should it be found necessary to look for other means to lead to that result? There are two different reasons for this-first, because the scholar has to begin by overcoming the resistance mentioned, which should be avoided from the very start; second, because the dip of the piano-keys cannot be divided into a number of smaller degrees, the use of which would gradually and surely lead to being able to strike the piano-keys without undue effort. Now, how can these obstacles be removed? The first by a device by which unnecessary resistance to the fingers in striking the keys is removed. But now arises the question: I-Iow will the scholar ever acquire the necessary touch for music which requires many different degrees of power? This is required by those means Vby which the necessary strength of the difierent muscles of the fingers and wrists is developed. Therefore two difierent mechanisms are required for these two different purposes, the first for developing a perfectlyfree, easy, and independent movement of every finger, whereby the most perfect flexibility of the finger-joints of pupils is attained, the second for the de- Velopment and strengthening of the different muscles employed in playing the piano by means Which Secure every necessary degree of power required for artistic pianoplaying. These two different mechanisms for the different objects constitute the principal and particular features of my pianotouch instructor Which distinguish it from other devices known as touch-regulators In these' touchregulators but one single mechanism is used for their purposes, making use of metallic springs exclusively,which compels the pupil to start at once by having to overcome the resistance by these springs, similar to what is to be done by starting on the piano.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a rear elevation of my apparatus;

Fig. 2, afrontelevation; Fig. 3, adetailed view of rear wedges. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of instrument; Fig. 5, a detailed section of a side compartment for front Wedges. Fig. 6 is a plan view of instrument with top and two keys removed. Fig. 7 is a detailed side elevation of a white key.

In the above-described figures of drawings like letters of reference indicate like parts.

R in Figs. l and 7 represents rubbers, with their connecting-hooks H and H' in rear ends of keys K and K' and in rod C below.

D and D', Fig. 1, are sliding wedges used for the purpose of regulating and controlling tensions of the rubbers by depression and elevation of the movable rod O, said wedges being guided in their inward andopposite movements within grooves formed at both ends of rod O by means of guiding-pieces M and M'.

D in- Fig. 3 is a detailed Wedge showing adjusting-scale L', with its division into twelve equal degress, intended for guiding both in and outward movements of the wedges.

A A, Figs. 2 and 4, is a rod moving vertically within openings Q and Q', being operated by sliding wedges B and B' for the purpose of dividing the dip of the'keyboard into twelve equal degrees, marked on adjustingscale L. By drawing wedges B and B' out of compartments N and N' in Fig. 4 on the sides of frame F by like degrees on each side rod IOO A is being raised gradually, whereby the dip of keys will be decreased by single degrees, and vice versa.

N, Fig. 5,' is a detailed view of compartment N' With side board removed, showing Wedge B Within compartment. Hooks Z, Fig. 5, in outside ends of B and B' are for controlling the movements of these wedges.

K and K', Figs. 2, 4, and G, designate, respectively, the White and black keys, which are pivoted, respcctively, at J and J' and secured in their positions by means of guidepins I and I', two keys being left out (in Fig. 6) for the purpose of showing the position of these pivots and guidc-pins, also of felt Washers O, as Well as springs S, the latter answering the purpose only of raising the keys after the fingers have been removed.

G, Figs. l, 2, and 4, is a top for key-frame F.

E, Figs. 1, 2, and 4, is a thin board placed between top G and keyboard, securing the position of the keys as to their correct dip.

T, Figs. 2, 4, and 7, is the key-bottom, and V, Figs. 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7, is the bed-piece.

P and P, Figs. 2 and 4, are small blocks fastened to rod A for securing its permanent position Within the key-frame.

Y, Fig. 7, is a balancing-bar upon which the keys are monnted.

Having now described the different parts of my invention, it only remains to show in What manner the' previously-mentioned two mechanisms are to be operated in order to acqnire, first, a perfectly easy, even, and independent movement of every finger, Whereby the necessary fiexibility of the finger-joints is attained. The mechanism for this purpose consists in the combination, With a keyboard, a series of piano-keys, key-bottom T, and bedpiece V, of rod A, moving Within openings Q and Q', whereby the dip of the keyboard is divided into twelve equal degrees by the use of adjusting-scale L as a guide for sliding wedges B and B', moving in side compartments N and N'. Begin exercises by drawing wedges B and B' out to degree 1 and draw out Wedges D and D' entirely for the .purpose of removing unnecessary resistance to the fingers.` The keys will now move very easily. The first exercise Will be made With a very small dip. Fingers must fall rapidly, but lightly. Pushing or forcing of keys must be avoided. After this exercise push B and B' inward one single degree, (marked 2,) Which Will increase the dip one degree. Continue moving B and B' inward by single degrees until degree 12' has been reached, at Which point dip of keys Will have been increased to six-eighths of one inch. After- Ward reverse the practice by drawing B and B' outward one single degree for each set of exercises, whereby each move Will decrease the size of dip one degree until degree 1 has been reached. These eXercises can be varied by omitting one degree, Vskipping from 1 to 3, 3 to 5, and so on; also, by skipping 2, 3, or 4 degrees, Whereby the effects of changes are more easily recognized. These exercises should be continued daily until perfect.

The mechanism for strengthening the different muscles of the fingers and Wrists consists in the combination, with a keyboard, a series of piano-keys, key-bottom T, and bedpiece V, sliding wedges B and B', side compartments N and N', rod A, openings Q and Q', and adjusting-scale L, of rod O, guidingpieces M and M', Hrubbers R, (connecting hooks H and H',) sliding wedges D and D' for operating rod C by depression and elevation, (thereby controlling the different resistances of the rubbers,) being guided by adj usting-scale L, marked upon them. As the result of strengthening the m uscles of the fingers and Wrists depends chietly on the use of elastics, it is necessary that their tensions can be varied from the lightest to the greatest degree of resistance. The means for this purpose is furnished by sliding wedges D and D' and the movable rod O.

vPrepare fer this new course of practice as follows: Draw out Wedges B and B' to degree 1 and let them remain in that position until the following course of exercises has been finished. Draw out also Wedges D and D' to degree 1 marked on adj usting-scale L upon the Wedges. This Will stretch the elastics very little, but increase the tension sufficiently to be felt. Next push D and D' inward to degree 2, Whereby the tension is slightly in- IOO creased. Continue pushing D and D' inward,

one single degree each time, until degree 12 has been reached, When rod O has been depressed to the lowest point, at. Which tension has reached its maximum. Now reverse action by drawing D and D' outward, one single degree at a time, until degree 1 has been reached. Next step-Will be by moving B and B' to degree 2 and leaving' it there until the different tensions have been practiced again. Continue pushing B and B' inward until degree 12 has been reached. Then reverse, as before, by drawing B and B' out- Ward until returned to degree 1. The eX- ercises With the elastics can also be varied, similar to those Without the rubbers, by omitting one, two, or three degrees.

For the development of the crescendo and diminuendo touch tWo different arrangements Will be used:

First. Mechanism for effecting a gradual change of the dip of keys in upward as Well as downward movement of a series of notes. The mechanism for this purpose consists, in the combination With a keyboard and a series of piano-keys, of rod A and Wedges B and B'. Wedges D and D' must be drawn out entirely. Draw out Wedge B (on left) to degree 1 on adjusting-scale L and push B' (on right) inward to degree 12. This places rod A into an inclined position, whereby the dip of keys is changed from the smallest to the largest degree. This affords an opportunity'for applying the different degrees of finger motions TIO izo

(previously acquired) to the creseendo and diminuendo touch.

Second arrangement: Retain rod A and B and B' in their previous positions, draW out nWedge D (on left) to degree 1, (for lightest resistance,) and push D' (on right) as far as it will go, When the tension of elastics Will be graded from the lightest to the greatest resistance. The exercise With this arrangement is for the purpose of oombining the different degrees of the tinger motions With the different degrees of resistances by the elastics, Whereby a still greater power of the touch, as Well as an increased flexibility of the finger-joints, is developed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patentfi l. In a finger-exercising apparatus the cornbination With a keyboard, a series of pianokeys, key-bottom T, and bed-piece V-of sliding` Wedges B and B', side oompartments N and N', adjusting-seale L, rod A, moving Vertically Within openings Q and Q', Whereby the dip of the keyboard is divided into twelve equal degrees, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. Inafinger-exercising apparatus the oombinaton With a keyboard, a series of pianokeys, key-bottom T, bed-piece V, Wedges B and B', compartments N and N', rod A, openings Q and Q' and adjusting-scale L-of rod C, rubbers R (Connected by hooks H and H') sliding Wedges D and D' for operating rod O by depression and elevation, thereby controlling the different tensions of the rubbers, being guided by adj ustng-scale L', marked upon D and D', substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ALOIS ALLMUTH.

lvitnesses:

JAMES E. MCLARNEY, EARLE B. BARNES. 

